EP1197593A2 - Commande d'une vanne de dérivation actionnée thermiquement dans une machine à laver - Google Patents

Commande d'une vanne de dérivation actionnée thermiquement dans une machine à laver Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1197593A2
EP1197593A2 EP01124153A EP01124153A EP1197593A2 EP 1197593 A2 EP1197593 A2 EP 1197593A2 EP 01124153 A EP01124153 A EP 01124153A EP 01124153 A EP01124153 A EP 01124153A EP 1197593 A2 EP1197593 A2 EP 1197593A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
diverter valve
receptacle
water
valve
fill
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01124153A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1197593A3 (fr
Inventor
Adam John Darby
Jonathan David Harwood
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd
Original Assignee
Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd
Fisher and Paykel Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd, Fisher and Paykel Ltd filed Critical Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd
Publication of EP1197593A2 publication Critical patent/EP1197593A2/fr
Publication of EP1197593A3 publication Critical patent/EP1197593A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
    • D06F39/083—Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control 
    • D06F33/47—Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of pumps 

Definitions

  • This invention relates to control strategies for thermally activated diverter valves when used in a washing appliance.
  • this invention relates to methods of switching a thermally actuated valve during operation of a recirculation cycle in a laundry washing appliance.
  • a thermally activated valve which is turned on when electricity is supplied to its electrical contacts, thereby heating the wax within the actuator and operating the switching of the valve from a first position (closed) to a second position (open).
  • the valve diverts water from the water receptacle and through a pipe to be recirculated back into the water receptacle.
  • the water receptacle is filled and the valve is energised. After some delay due to thermal actuation the valve is fully opened and allows water to be recirculated through the bowl.
  • the valve is closed and a pump turned on, the water within the receptacle is pumped through the valve to the drain.
  • the thermally activated valve is switched on it takes a minute or so before it is fully activated and in an open position.
  • the recirculation phase of the wash cycle starts and water is pumped from the receptacle through the valve and directed back into the receptacle.
  • the time taken for the receptacle to fill with water to the predetermined level usually corresponds to the time taken for the valve to warm up and be activated. Therefore, the valve is activated at approximately the same time as the washing appliance is ready to start the recirculation phase of the wash cycle.
  • the time generally taken for the bowl to fill with water to the predetermined level required for the recirculation phase may be as long as, for example, 10 minutes. Therefore in low water pressure areas, the valve is activated and is open after approximately one minute and is running hot. As valves of this type have a finite 'on time' life then the life of the valve is being shortened, as during a long fill cycle the valve is unnecessarily on.
  • the invention consists in a washing appliance which has a recirculating wash cycle comprising or including:
  • the invention consists in a method of controlling a thermally actuated diverter valve during a recirculation cycle of a washing appliance, wherein said washing appliance comprises or includes a water holding receptacle, an inlet valve, a pump connected to said diverter valve, and control means which stores a program which causes the control means to:
  • the invention consists in a method of controlling a thermally activated diverter valve during the recirculation cycle of a washing appliance, wherein said washing appliance comprises or includes a water holding receptacle, an inlet valve, a pump, and control means which stores a program and monitors a low flow rate flag, said program causing said control means to control a first wash phase and subsequent wash phases, said method including the steps of:
  • the invention consists in a method of controlling a thermally activated diverter valve during the cycle of a washing appliance, wherein said washing appliance comprises or includes a water holding receptacle, an inlet valve, a pump, and control means which stores a program and causes the control means to:
  • the present invention in the preferred embodiment, provides a control strategy for the operation of a thermally activated valve during the initial phases in a laundry washing appliance.
  • This control strategy allows for the conversation of the valve's 'on time' life particularly in situations where a laundry washing appliance the flow of water into the appliance is low, for example when the appliance is used in areas where water pressure is low, or when valves or pipes are blocked or obscured.
  • a thermal actuator that opens and closes the valve consists of a positive temperature co-efficient (PTC) heater, a wax actuator, piston and spring that work together to switch the valve from its position to its open position.
  • PTC positive temperature co-efficient
  • the PTC heater When the PTC heater is energised by providing a current over electrical contact connected to the PTC heater, the PTC heater raises the temperature of the wax casing, the wax contained in the casing expands and forces a piston to move outwards axially transmitting a thrust to move the valve into the open position.
  • the PTC heater is preferably connected and energised, by way of electrical contacts and wires, to the electronics controller contained within the washing appliance.
  • the present invention controls the time at which the thermal actuator is energised. In the preferred form of the present invention this is done by monitoring the time taken for the bowl of the washing appliance to fill to a predetermined level.
  • This level preferably being the level as used in the recirculating phase of a laundry washing appliance cycle.
  • This water level is preferably approximately 50 mm from the bottom of the bowl or approximately 25 litres depending on the load size and absorbency of the items within the washing appliance bowl, although the fill may continue until the items are fully saturated with water.
  • the thermally activated valve (“diverter valve") is switched on when the inlet valve is switched on at the start of the fill phase and the washing bowl starts to fill with water.
  • the thermal valve 1 is external to the bowl 2 of the laundry washing appliance 3.
  • the drain hose 4 is connected to one outlet of the diverter valve 1 and the recirculation hose 5 is connected to the other outlet of the diverter valve 1 wherein the other end of the recirculation hose 5 empties into the bowl 2 at the top end 6 of the laundry washing appliance 3.
  • the diverter valve When the diverter valve is in the closed position and the pump 7 is activated, water is drained from the bowl 2, through a connecting pipe 8, through the valve 1 and out through the drain pipe 4.
  • the valve 1 is in the open position and when the pump 7 is activated, water is pumped through the connector pipe 8 and moves through the valve 1 up through the recirculation pipe 5 and back into the bowl 2 of the washing appliance 3.
  • the electronics controlling the fill cycle interrogates a low rate flag. If the flag is not set, the diverter valve is activated. Alternatively, if the flag is set then the diverter valve is not activated.
  • the filling of the bowl ready for the recirculation phase is commenced.
  • the control electronics monitor the time taken to reach the predetermined recirculation water level in the bowl by interrogating a pressure sensor located within the electronics, where the pressure sensor detects the pressure within a sealed tube located on the side of the bowl, which is connected to an air bell at the bottom of the bowl, once this level is reached the control electronics determine whether the fill took longer than a maximum time or not.
  • the control electronics clear the low flow rate flag and if the diverter valve is not on it is activated. Once the valve has been activated and has been allowed to switch on, the time taken to fully open being approximately one minute, the recirculation phase is commenced and the washing appliance continues with the wash cycle comprising any number of wash, rinse and spin cycles as determined by the user and controlled by the control electronics. Note, in the preferred form the minimum time referred to above is two minutes and the maximum time is three minutes.
  • the control electronics interrogates the water level sensor and if the fill cycle has taken longer than the maximum time then the low flow rate flag is set if not already and the diverter valve is turned off. Again, once the predetermined water level has been reached the control electronics activates the diverter valve.
  • the controlling of the switching of the thermal valve preserves the life of the valve by reducing the unnecessary run time of the valve.
  • the diverter valve will be switched on at a time taken to fill the bowl with water to the predetermined level (recirculation level) in the previous wash cycle minus the valve activation time. Therefore, when the bowl has filled with water to the predetermined level, the valve has already warmed up, is open and allows water to be recirculated. In this situation the control electronics will monitor the time taken to fill the bowl to the recirculation level during a sample of previous wash cycles.
  • the control electronics delay the activation of the diverter valve to ensure it is open at the end of the recirculation fill cycle, further ensuring the valve is not unnecessarily on.
  • the control electronics may be programmed to monitor a sample of previous washes and stores the time taken to fill to the recirculation level, then calculate an "average fill time". The control electronics will then energise the valve at approximately a minute (equivalent to the valve activation time) before the completion of the average fill time. Therefore, the wash cycle is not delayed or extended by the valve switching and the valves life is preserved.
  • FIG. 4 timing diagrams of the on and off, and open and closed sequences of the diverter valve 1, pump 7 and inlet water valve(s) are shown when the washing appliance is being operated in a high water pressure area.
  • the washing appliance is turned on at time A the inlet water valves are opened and the bowl starts to fill with water and/or detergent.
  • the diverter valve is activated when the inlet water valve is opened at the beginning of the washing cycle. Once the thermal actuator has heated up the piston of the actuator has caused the valve to be fully opened.
  • the inlet valve is closed as the predetermined water level as required for the recirculation phase has been reached. Therefore, at time B the diverter valve is fully open, the pump has switched on and is recirculating water through the bowl and recirculation pipe.
  • the diverter valve remains open, until the pump is switched off, at which point the diverter valve is de-energised. As can be seen, at time C the diverter valve will slowly close until at time D the diverter valve has completely closed. During closing of the diverter valve the washing cycle continues in the wash phase.
  • the diverter valve is not required to close immediately as after the recirculation phase because the washing cycle moves into a wash phase, which may last between ten and twelve minutes depending on the user's requirements and predetermined settings, and allows plenty of time for the wax in the actuator to cool and the diverter valve to close. This closing of the valve usually takes approximately three to four minutes to complete.
  • Figure 5 shows a timing diagram of the on and off, and open and closed sequences of the diverter valve, pump and inlet water valves in a low flow rate situation where a washing appliance is being used in a low water pressure area.
  • time E the inlet water valve and diverter valve are activated and the thermal actuator heats up over time and the piston of the actuator slowly opens the diverter valve until time F when the valve is fully open.
  • time F the bowl is filled with water fed from the inlet valve.
  • the control electronics controlling the switching of the valves, senses that the recirculation level has not been reached and switches the diverter valve off.
  • the actuator As the actuator relies on thermal conductivity, it closes the valve at a slower rate than the opening of the valve (time period E to F).
  • time H when the recirculation level is reached as sensed by the control electronics, the inlet water valve is switched off by the control electronic. Again, the diverter valve is activated and heats up over the shortened time H to I. During this time period neither the bowl is filling with water nor has the recirculation phase started. Therefore, there is a delay in the wash cycle.
  • time I when the diverter valve is fully open the pump is activated and the recirculation phase commences. Once the recirculation cycle is complete, at time J, the diverter valve is de-energised, and the wash phase of the washing cycle is commenced.
  • Figure 6 shows a further set of timing diagrams showing the on and off and open and closed positions of the diverter valve, pump and inlet water valves where the low flow rate flag has been set.
  • the low flow rate flag is set once the control electronics, normally a micro controller, have sensed that the washing appliance is being operated under a low water pressure situation due to the long time taken to fill to the recirculation level.
  • the appliance is switched on and the wash cycle is commenced, as described above.
  • the thermal valve is switched on and heats up, taking approximately 1 minute until it is in the fully open position.
  • the diverter valve is open and the pump is switched on.
  • the diverter valve and pump remain open and on respectively, until the recirculation phase is completed at time N.
  • the diverter valve is then de-energised and the inlet water valves are opened so that the bowl can be filled to the predetermined level as required by the wash cycle.
  • the wax in the thermal actuator cools the valve moves into the closed position at some point (not shown) during the wash cycle.
  • the appliance then completes the rest of the cycle by completing a predetermined number of spin, drain and rinse cycles.
  • control strategy of the present invention provides for the preservation of the diverter valve and thermal actuator life by either delaying the turn on time of the diverter valve or turning the valve off if the fill phase takes longer than 3 minutes, the diverter valve being turned on again only when the fill is completed.
  • a diverter valve to recirculate water during the wash or rinse phases of the washing cycle.
  • the water in the bowl would be recirculated and diverted through a heater or detergent container to maintain water temperatures or provide higher detergent levels in the water.
  • the same type of method as described above would be used to implement recirculation during these cycles and would provide improvements in rinsing without having to add any extra components to the washing appliance.
  • diverter valve 'on time' life may also be controlled using the same logic and control as described above.
  • the diverter valve has an active state that prevents recirculation and an inactive state that allows for draining of water from the bowl of the washing appliance it is envisaged that the diverter valve may have opposing states. That is, an inactive state that allows recirculation and an active state in which allows water from the bowl to be pumped to the drain.
  • the control electronics would control the time in which the valve is activated, this time would preferably be at a suitable time during the wash phase prior to the draining phase. Also, the control electronics may allow for the valve to be turned on at a time approximately one minute, that is, the valve turn on time, before draining is to commence.
EP01124153A 2000-10-10 2001-10-10 Commande d'une vanne de dérivation actionnée thermiquement dans une machine à laver Withdrawn EP1197593A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ50741900 2000-10-10
NZ507419A NZ507419A (en) 2000-10-10 2000-10-10 Washing appliance, typically laundry washing machine, with control means to energise thermally actuated diverter valve at or near time taken to fill appliance

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1197593A2 true EP1197593A2 (fr) 2002-04-17
EP1197593A3 EP1197593A3 (fr) 2004-02-11

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01124153A Withdrawn EP1197593A3 (fr) 2000-10-10 2001-10-10 Commande d'une vanne de dérivation actionnée thermiquement dans une machine à laver

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US6582198B2 (fr)
EP (1) EP1197593A3 (fr)
AU (1) AU767824B2 (fr)
NZ (1) NZ507419A (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2644080A1 (fr) * 2012-03-29 2013-10-02 Candy S.p.A. Appareil permettant de récupérer le liquide de lavage et/ou de rinçage dans un lave-vaisselle
WO2013185189A1 (fr) * 2012-06-11 2013-12-19 Whirlpool S.A. Procédé pour commander la durée de vidange d'un appareil électroménager
WO2020088846A1 (fr) 2018-10-30 2020-05-07 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Machine à laver/sèche-linge
WO2020099147A1 (fr) 2018-11-16 2020-05-22 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Lave-linge/sèche-linge comprenant une vanne de dérivation
WO2020114690A1 (fr) 2018-12-06 2020-06-11 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Lave-linge séchant comprenant une vanne de dérivation
WO2020120023A1 (fr) 2018-12-11 2020-06-18 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Lave-linge séchant comprenant une vanne de dérivation

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7378953B2 (en) * 2004-08-30 2008-05-27 International Business Machines Corporation Transmission between a sensor and a controller in a wireless sensor network
US7743831B2 (en) * 2005-06-10 2010-06-29 Exxonmobile Upstream Research Company Thermal activation mechanisms and methods for use in oilfield applications

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2138451A (en) * 1983-02-25 1984-10-24 Eltek Srl Distributor and safety valve assembly for washing machines
US4776559A (en) * 1986-04-02 1988-10-11 Eltek, S.P.A. Valve actuated by a device containing an expandable wax associated with thermistors
EP0597509A1 (fr) * 1992-11-09 1994-05-18 CANDY S.p.A. Machine à laver à circulation dynamique
US5689846A (en) * 1995-07-26 1997-11-25 Fisher & Paykel Limited Laundry machine water flow control

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US4227546A (en) 1978-09-06 1980-10-14 The Maytag Company Dishwasher fluid control system
CA1160140A (fr) * 1979-12-20 1984-01-10 Alain Groult Machine et methode automatique a laver le linge ou la vaisselle
DE3518565A1 (de) * 1985-05-23 1986-11-27 E.G.O. Elektro-Geräte Blanc u. Fischer, 7519 Oberderdingen Beheizung fuer waschloesungen in reinigungsmaschinen
IT207788Z2 (it) * 1986-04-04 1988-02-15 Eltek Spa Gruppo deviatore d acqua associabile a programmatori elettronici particolarmente per macchine lavatrici
IT1217894B (it) * 1988-06-22 1990-03-30 Eurodomestici Ind Riunite Macchina lavapiancheria con dispositivo perfezionato per il comando della pompa atto alla chiusura di una valvola in particolare a cerniera per l'economizzazione del detersivo
US5271251A (en) * 1992-01-02 1993-12-21 Whirlpool Corporation Vertical axis washer
US5233718A (en) * 1992-01-02 1993-08-10 Whirlpool Corporation Tumble method of rinsing fabric in a horizontal axis washer
US5191668A (en) * 1992-01-02 1993-03-09 Whirlpool Corporation Spin method of rinsing fabric in a horizontal axis washer
US5249441A (en) * 1992-01-02 1993-10-05 Whirlpool Corporation Slit valve for automatic washer
GB2339578A (en) * 1998-07-15 2000-02-02 Allan Bishop Water re-circulation system
US6189171B1 (en) * 1999-03-16 2001-02-20 General Electric Company Washing machine having a variable speed motor
US6269666B1 (en) * 1999-06-22 2001-08-07 Whirlpool Corporation Control for an automatic washer with spray pretreatment

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2138451A (en) * 1983-02-25 1984-10-24 Eltek Srl Distributor and safety valve assembly for washing machines
US4776559A (en) * 1986-04-02 1988-10-11 Eltek, S.P.A. Valve actuated by a device containing an expandable wax associated with thermistors
EP0597509A1 (fr) * 1992-11-09 1994-05-18 CANDY S.p.A. Machine à laver à circulation dynamique
US5689846A (en) * 1995-07-26 1997-11-25 Fisher & Paykel Limited Laundry machine water flow control

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2644080A1 (fr) * 2012-03-29 2013-10-02 Candy S.p.A. Appareil permettant de récupérer le liquide de lavage et/ou de rinçage dans un lave-vaisselle
WO2013185189A1 (fr) * 2012-06-11 2013-12-19 Whirlpool S.A. Procédé pour commander la durée de vidange d'un appareil électroménager
WO2020088846A1 (fr) 2018-10-30 2020-05-07 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Machine à laver/sèche-linge
WO2020099147A1 (fr) 2018-11-16 2020-05-22 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Lave-linge/sèche-linge comprenant une vanne de dérivation
WO2020114690A1 (fr) 2018-12-06 2020-06-11 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Lave-linge séchant comprenant une vanne de dérivation
WO2020120023A1 (fr) 2018-12-11 2020-06-18 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Lave-linge séchant comprenant une vanne de dérivation

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU7932201A (en) 2002-04-11
US20020046428A1 (en) 2002-04-25
EP1197593A3 (fr) 2004-02-11
US6582198B2 (en) 2003-06-24
NZ507419A (en) 2003-08-29
AU767824B2 (en) 2003-11-27

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